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Santa Cruz Search and Rescue

*** THERE IS NO WAIT PERIOD TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON ***

CALL 911 TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team is a group of dedicated individuals who encourage you to safely enjoy the beautiful county of Santa Cruz, California. The team is comprised of volunteers from the community as well as personnel from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office and are on-call around the clock every day of the year. The dedicated team members take time from their busy lives and professions to train in many different specialties and to perform their Search and Rescue duties when called upon. They come from all walks of life and all bring valuable experience to the team.

Announcements

Missing Elderly Woman Found Safe80-year-old Graciela Lopez is safe and in good condition and was found at Capitola Mall. Security guards at the Capitola Mall spotted Lopez Saturday afternoon.
Posted Apr 9, 2016, 6:46 PM by John Mizell

Santa Cruz SAR Technical Rescue Training [Video]The Santa Cruz Search and Rescue's Technical Rope Rescue team trained on the cliffs above the pacific this February while local photogapher filmed from above. What the short video ...
Posted Apr 8, 2016, 3:56 PM by Santa Cruz County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team

Santa Cruz Search & Rescue Events

The roots of the Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue Team reach back to
1972, when Boy Scout Explorer Post 613 maintained a well trained Search
and Rescue unit consisting of 20 to 30 members.

What began as an interest by local Boy Scouts was recognized in 1984 as a separately functioning unit of the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office and is now recognized by the State of California, Office of Emergency Services as a mutual aid resource for neighboring counties. The SAR team is comprised of both Sheriff personnel and volunteers from the community. While the number of members has changed little over the years, its members are highly skilled making it a valuable resource for the Sheriff's Office.

SAR team members put in many hours each year, both in training and in performing searches. They have carried out their jobs on foot, in vehicles, in water and in the air. Searchers have been deployed for missing adults, missing children, and even evidence in criminal cases. Rescue operations have been made for hikers, bikers, joggers, lost children, people with Alzheimer’s, and despondent individuals.
While the searches are never easy, often requiring hours of hiking and lost sleep, the team members give unflagging support to the cause. Their time and effort continue to provide valuable search and rescue service to Santa Cruz County and beyond.

Santa Cruz Search and Rescue Special Teams

The Santa Cruz Sheriff's Search and Rescue team maintains several Special Teams which train to standards within specific disciplines of search and rescue. These teams are made up of members of the greater SC SAR team and meet to train within their specialty throughout the year. These teams include: K-9, OHV, Air, Mountain Bike, Mounted Equine, and Technical Rope Rescue.Learn more about our Special Teams.